Whiteness and blackness exist in polar opposition: they are constructed to fundamentally be at odds with one another. Any system that favors whiteness automatically disadvantages blackness. Anyone who is not white or black falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, and can move closer to whiteness or blackness depending on how they are viewed at any point in history.

An intergenerational system of co-opting resistance for white profit continues; communities that face daily violence have adapted by creating smaller outlets that represent them, while mainstream outlets have learned to use collectives’ content, contributors, and image in order to keep their position as important cultural documenters.

Omahyra looked like me and she was a Jean Paul Gaultier girl. Omahyra looked like millions other gawky and strange little latina girls that are told they’re ugly and too “india” or black or this or that to be considered classic beauties and she was a Gucci girl.